When: September 28nd, 2012 (The same day as the Shark-a-Thon at PINS)Where: Sabine River downstream of Toledo Bend, in the generation canalStart Time: 0600End Time: SundownTrip Leader: PuckPhone: 281-865-3216e-mail: Shoot Puck a pm on this board.

Trip Description:1) If the Sabine River Authority is not generating the day of the trip we have about 4 miles of water to fish. We will launch canoes, kayaks and kickboats at the generation canal, and fish the generation canal down to the rocks, and possibly up into the spill way side. I’ll work on getting a map of the area posted.2) If the Sabine River Authority is generating the day of the trip we can use Tack-a-Paw as a livery service and make the 10 mile trek down the river to the bridge.

How to sign up:Sign Up On Line Here, on the sign up sheet distributed at the monthly meeting or e-mail the trip leader.How to get waiver forms:Download here Required Waiver of Liability, filled out and signed, along with emergency contact information.Cost: No anticipated cost (Unless we use a livery service)

Recommended guidelines for participants:• Notify the trip leader if you have any potential concerns• If inexperienced, then buddy up.• Have proper safety equipment• If you are boating or kayaking, inform the trip leader of your float plan if planning to fish alone or longer then the designated times.• Sign in and sign out at the launch site. Inform the trip leader if you will be launching in a different place.

Lessons learned.1. Travel with a buddy. Don’t run this stretch alone. There are too many variables. This stretch of water part of a power generation waterway. The water conditions can change quickly.

2. Double, and triple, check your gear. Make sure you have what you need before getting on the water. I was missing my flippers. Big mistake with a kick-boat.

3. At least one member of the group should do a dry run for the return trip. The road did not go as far down the river as I had though. And I didn’t have my flippers so I wound up travelling, with the kick-boat on my back, along deer trails. I do not recommend this at all!

4. As much fun as fish are to catch on a 3wt, I’d recommend at least a 5wt. This will allow you to cast a little further with a larger fly.

5. If you have a favorite fly, bring at least 6 each. I fished with 3 flies for 6 hours. This was an exception, not the rule. Frayed tippets after repeatedly catching fish can abrade the mono. I made a conscientious effort to keep my tippet fresh.

6. Most of the fish in this area are spotted bass (Kentucky) and aren’t as large as LMBs. I started out with a size 8 PGPP, and had to go up to a size 6 to keep the sunfish hook-ups down. The KLMB make up for size with their willingness to bite and the way they fight.

7. If you fish on the weekends here, be prepared to share the river with swimmers, snorkelers, scuba divers, and other anglers. Rarely will you see anyone on the river in the morning. By late afternoon the casual sportsmen will start showing up. The summertime is much busier than any other season.

8. Launch on the east side of the generation canal. The west side his extremely high banks and is difficult to climb up. Make sure you can get back to about the midway point for take-out. It is a lot easier to walk on the road than the deer trails.

9. Bring twice as much water as you think you will need. Just because you feel comfortable and cool does not mean you don’t need to take in water.

10. A lightweight watercraft is perfect to fish this water. A canoe would work well with 2 people, and a kayak would also work. The downfall of them is that you can’t lug them up the hill like a backpack, as I did with my kick-boat.

The stripers come up into this area about an hour before sunrise, and disappear back downstream as it gets light out. My largest was 15 pounds. I hooked it on a simple shad, size 4, just at first light, 7 years ago.

I was in this area yesterday morning 2012-03-30-0500, and the white bass were there, but the stripers never showed up. The SRA is generating 2 generator 24 hours a day until further notice. THis means that the water is extremely high, and dangerous close to the dam area.